How I Secured a Partially Funded Master's at the University of Clermont Auvergne, France Through the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship

My name is Atwiine Julian, and I’m from Uganda. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Development Economics from Makerere University and two Master’s degrees in Development Economics from French universities.

Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Details

I’m an awardee of the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship (2023–2025), which supported my Master’s degree in Development Economics at the University of Clermont Auvergne in Clermont-Ferrand, France. The scholarship covered my flights and insurance, and provided a monthly living allowance of €1,181. They also helped me find accommodation.

Educational Background

Before applying for the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship, I had completed a Bachelor’s degree in Development Economics from Makerere University, where I graduated with a CGPA of 3.68/5 (Second Class Upper). It helped a lot that I was applying for a Master’s degree in a closely related field, because having a background that is related to the programme you are applying for is very important in France.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the University of Clermont Auvergne?

How Did You Find Information About Eiffel Excellence Scholarship and the University of Clermont Auvergne?

I had a friend who was studying in Portugal at the time, and he knew that I was looking for scholarships abroad. He was also aware that I was mainly applying to universities in the UK, so he advised me to widen my search and consider universities in other European countries, such as France.

I then did some research and got in touch with the French Embassy in Uganda to ask for information about scholarships and other useful information about studying in France. That’s how I came across the English-taught Master’s in Development Economics programme at the University of Clermont Auvergne.

Did You Take Any Standardized Tests? If So, How Did You Prepare for Them?

Yes, I took the IELTS exam. I found some preparation materials online, mainly on YouTube and Twitter, and practiced for about a month before taking the test.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship?

I got to know about the scholarship after applying to the Master’s programme. The university told me that they thought my profile was strong enough and encouraged me to apply for the scholarship. Indeed, to apply for the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship, you must first apply to a university. If the university pre-selects you, they then submit your application for the scholarship.

How is Your Experience at University of Clermont Auvergne?

I really enjoyed my time as a student at the University of Clermont Auvergne. At first, integrating was a bit difficult since I didn’t speak any French, but the administration and the rest of the university community were kind and accommodating. It also helped that the university has many international students.

How Do You Rate University of Clermont Auvergne Academically?

Well, when I applied to this university, I knew it had a good reputation in Development Economics. But having experienced its academic system firsthand, I can indeed say that the reputation is well deserved. The programme is not just theoretical, they equip you with practical skills that you can apply in your career after graduation.

How Does University of Clermont Auvergne Support International Students?

The university has numerous associations that help international students integrate into the community. They organize airport pick-ups for international students and also arrange events where students can meet and connect with their fellow students. They also offer optional French classes for non-French speakers.

Are Your Classes Conducted in English or French?

My programme was fully taught in English, so all the classes were conducted in English. There are also a few other English-taught programmes at the university, such as the Master’s in Business Administration.

What Did You Pursue After the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship?

I had always wanted to pursue a PhD after my Master’s degree, but I wanted to further strengthen my research and impact evaluation skills before taking that step. So, I decided to enrol in a second Master’s degree specializing in Impact Evaluation within Development Economics at Université Gustave Eiffel.

Would Potential Students Have Any Problems Not Knowing French?

I don’t think students who don’t speak French would have any major academic problems, given that the programme is taught entirely in English. The main challenge to anticipate would be integrating into the community, which can take some time, especially if you don’t speak French.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

Like I already mentioned, I was applying to a programme in the same field as my Bachelor’s degree, which I believe was important when applying to French universities. My academic performance was also strong, as I graduated with a Second Class Upper. In addition to my IELTS score and good recommendation letters, I had also gained some practical work experience before applying to the programme.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

I think I would have spread my options a bit more. I only applied to one university, so looking back, I would have applied to several universities to give myself more options. It’s always better to have a few alternatives.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

I would say it’s important not to apply only to the big or well-known universities, but to also consider smaller or less popular universities, where the competition for scholarships may be relatively lower. Also, since the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship does not cover tuition fees, prospective applicants should consider universities with affordable tuition fees or public institutions where tuition fees may be waived for scholarship recipients.